F15EX Going to KMTC

[GrndPndr]

Interesting interaction between Whitmer and POTUS this evening, with a gift from Trump?:

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2025/04/29/donald-trump-selfridge-air-national-guard-base-retiring-fighter-jets-macomb-county-michigan/83332234007/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ-VKVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWRzNlUGtoS2lNOXJ1UkRjAR4U2ZwfOo_-YOo6KhCTIxANZ1qOtgugbUamFhqUfYAiiQlwfKN5wCApyHBkVQ_aem_hOGZv8sA4ZhAwrbCXOxQig

 

[Polar Bear]

Dream gig with Delta having a huge base in Detroit.

[Sua Sponte]

Selfridge is also getting the KC-46 to replace their KC-135s.

[SocialD]

I just flew a trip with one of their previous CC's and he mentioned that Whitmar was working a deal with Trump to get some new iron (he assumed 35s).  I was actually surprised they didn't get the 35 instead of either MSN or BTV.  MTC has local support and they have the Alpena Complex just 50 NM north, which is one of the largest airspace complexes in the US.  Giving it to the BTV and MSN, where the locals have a vocal disdain for the military/noise, with ok airspace, never really made sense.  I've flown at both and was shocked at what they have to do to keep the neighbors happy.  Of course I was used to have locals stop me because they were upset that we don't fly low/loud enough around their house.  Of course that was after they picked up our bill before we could pay for our lunch.  Love the red blooded Americans in the Midwest.  

 

For a good laugh/cry, google VT Digger F-35, that news outlet really has it out for the 35s.  

[bfargin]

The pilots at Selfridge have to be psyched to get the upgraded -15 over fat Amy.

[di1630]

The pilots at Selfridge have to be psyched to get the upgraded -15 over fat Amy.

Why?


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[bfargin]

I was projecting.

[Biff_T]

On 4/30/2025 at 12:04 PM, di1630 said:

Why?


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For the fun times that come with a WSO maybe?  

[Orbit]

No WSO on the EX is what I was told. 

[bfargin]

There is something to be said of the crew dynamics when tdy (but not what Biff insinuated - I understood that’s reserved for the C models in Japan).

I was just expressing my long unfulfilled dream/desire to fly the F-4 and then the F-15, when the F-4 disappeared. I’m sure fat Amy has its capabilities but dang the F-15 is a beast!

i also realize the aviation gods who fly single pilot understand and benefit from the “crew” concept often, since they regularly fly in 2-ship or 4-ship formations. It’s always fun to share adrenaline inducing experiences with others. Plus it makes for some great stories.

[Biff_T]

On 5/2/2025 at 1:39 PM, bfargin said:

It’s always fun to share adrenaline inducing experiences with others. Plus it makes for some great stories.

This

[Smokin]

Having flown both with and without a WSO, I'd take the extra gas instead.

[Smokin]

On 4/30/2025 at 6:27 AM, SocialD said:

MTC has local support and they have the Alpena Complex just 50 NM north, which is one of the largest airspace complexes in the US.

It is good for a single squadron guard base airspace, but hardly one of the largest complexes in the US and I think it'll show itself to be inadequate for the EX.  I think the MOA is only like 40 miles wide which will be a problem and unless they can move some of the jetways the high altitude is too short for a long look.  Just off the top of the nugget of airspaces I've used that I'm pretty sure are considerably larger: the UTTR, NTTR, San Diego west coast complex, Edwards, basically the entire East Coast from Boston to Orlando, Berry Goldwater, Holloman, Gulf Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska.  And many of those airspaces are multiple times larger than Alpena and just the one's I've used, I'm sure there are more.

Overall the Alpena complex is great for A-10s, ok for F-16s, but hardly what the EX needs.

[BFM this]

39 minutes ago, Smokin said:

Having flown both with and without a WSO, I'd take the extra gas instead.

Does beg the question why the entire order was for family models.

[uhhello]

I believe the extra seat was for follow on capabilities of unmanned wingmen and etc.

[DirkDiggler]

1 hour ago, BFM this said:

Does beg the question why the entire order was for family models.

I thought the only reason all the EXs were 2 seat is that Boeing hasn’t had a single seat version of the -15 in production for quite some time.  It was easier to continue the production line with the two seat model.

[uhhello]

10 minutes ago, DirkDiggler said:

I thought the only reason all the EXs were 2 seat is that Boeing hasn’t had a single seat version of the -15 in production for quite some time.  It was easier to continue the production line with the two seat model.

And that too 

[Boomer6]

2 hours ago, DirkDiggler said:

I thought the only reason all the EXs were 2 seat is that Boeing hasn’t had a single seat version of the -15 in production for quite some time.  It was easier to continue the production line with the two seat model.

Checks. The whole BS spiel from Boeing back in '18 was it would be cheaper to leave the seat in what was basically the F-15QA, oh and also you'd only need a 3 sim spin-up..